Scott Beatty Transcript

[Timothy]

Here it is! The transcript of the DC interview with writer Scott Beatty, as conducted by e-mail! (Thank YOU internet! ;D ) All kidding aside, I truly appreciate Mr. Beatty's cooperation in regards to this interview request, and he was a terrific guy during our correspondence!

You can read the entire official interview with him below!
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Batdad asks...

Are there any plans for a sequel to The Batman Handbook, with a possibility for a "villains" edition?

Scott Beatty: Not at this time, but you never know...

There is preliminary talk of updating THE DC ENCYCLOPEDIA to reflect all the post-INFINITE CRISIS changes in the DCU, including the Bat-Rogues.
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Arkham 16 asks...
1. Are there any plans to follow up Nightwing: Year One with perhaps a Year Two?

Scott Beatty: Chuck and I would LOVE to write a follow-up. Right now we're putting our heads together to see what we can collaborate on at DC. Of course, the Bat-Characters would be tops on our list.

2. Was there any work that you did that you enjoyed most in your career?

Scott Beatty: BATGIRL YEAR ONE is a personal favorite that I'm most proud of... in addition to my work on RUSE with Butch Guice, Mike Perkins, and Laura Martin.

3. Is there an artist that you would like to work with that you haven't before? If so why? and what type of project would you have in mind?

Scott Beatty: Well, I'd give my left kidney to work with Jerry Ordway. George Pérez tops the list too. Having Alex Toth draw just one panel of my work would be a dream come true.

4. Were you a fan of the comics when you were a child?

Scott Beatty: ABSOLUTELY. Loved 'em and spent most of my available cash on them. When I discovered back issues, it was all over for me attending an Ivy League
school.

5. While writing was there a hero that you enjoyed writing the most? A villian?

Scott Beatty: thingy Grayson is my absolute favorite character, but I just love to write dialogue for Alfred Pennyworth.

The Joker was my favorite villain to write, especially during LAST LAUGH. I just couldn't get Mark Hamill's voice out of my head.
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Dr. Crane asks...

1.) In the Batman Begins Visual Guide, there is a picture of Batman swinging down from the waterfall with his cape outstretched. The caption says that he is testing the memory cloth's ability. I have argued with some people that
the picture is actually from the scene in which Batman swoops down to give
Rachel the antidote and not an actual scene in which Bruce is testing the
cape. Am I correct?

Scott Beatty: You're correct, but the caption needed to reflect how the cape work for the
book's purposes more than being strictly adherent to what happens in the
movie. At that point, I had not seen the movie, so DK's choice for the photo
seemed innocuous enough...

2.) I have your Ultimate Guides for Batman, Superman, and Catwoman and they
are all great reference material. Will there be an updated Superman Ultimate
Guide with the release of Superman Returns in June?

Scott Beatty: Yup! I just finished the update materials (about 20 pages) that will be included in the revised volume set to hit stores this Spring.

3.) Did you enjoy Batman Begins? Was there anything you thought could've been better?

Scott Beatty: I enjoyed it immensely. My only complaint was that there wasn't enough Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon. Plus, I would have preferred that Gordon didn't sign
on so easily as Batman's accomplice. I think it best that Gordon doesn't
trust Batman ENTIRELY.

4.) Do you look forward to anything regarding the Batman Begins sequel? What
do you think of the rumored casting, such as Paul Bettany as Joker or
Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Penguin?

Scott Beatty: Paul Bettany as the Joker? Hmmm... INTERESTING.

Frankly, I wish they'd give Mark Hamill a shot.

I just don't see Hoffman as Pengy. Paul Giamatti (SIDEWAYS) maybe...

Of course, Edward Norton was born to play TWO-FACE.

Demon's Head: Thank you for taking the time to answer all of these fan questions!

Scott Beatty: Thanks for having me!

[Jack Napier]

Very cool! He sounds like a terrific guy.

This interview is important proof that the picture of Batman gliding off the waterfall is not of a deleted scene like SO many fans at Superhero Hype mistakenly thought. Beatty used it for the exact purpose that I thought he did. It's great to have an opportunity to get validity from the man himself.

I like his comments on the Batman films. But I'll have to disagree with his casting choices. Mark Hamill as Joker? Great voice, but it just wouldn't be right. There were enough complaints about Nicholson's age and look. I believe Hamill is even older (and heavier) than Jack was in B89. Plus, it would be just weird to hear the BTAS voice in live action.
Paul Giamatti as Penguin? I loved the guy in Cinderella Man ("Beat him from the inside out!!!"), but I can't see him as Penguin. I guess it's his look. If he were cast and Nolan gave him heavy make-up, then I wouldn't mind at all. But I think Giamatti would make a better Ventriloquist. That would be awesome.
Edward Norton as Two-Face...I could see that, but there are many other young actors that I could also see. Because of his unique voice, though, I'd like him as Black Mask since you need a distinctive voice to carry out the role under a full face mask.

Hero to Demon's Head for this opportunity.

[Timothy]

batmangelus said:

Very cool! He sounds like a terrific guy... Hero to Demon's Head for this opportunity.

^ I agree...Mr. Beatty was a wonderful person to interview!

^^ I'm just trying to help out fans around the world! If you think of anyone else that you'd like me to contact for a future DC interview, make sure to post a name and/ or link in the "Interviews Suggestions" thread on this board! ;D

[robin]

That was a great interview! Thanks for posting it.

[arkham16]

Terrific! His answers are great and i hope he gets a chance at Nightwing Year Two. Thanks for gettin' this for us DH!

[Jack Napier]

I just caught Primal Fear on television and Beatty must have seen this film. It was Edward Norton's first film and he plays a character who has...get this...two personalities. One good. One evil.

In the courtroom, he is being basically drilled by Laura Linney's hard nosed lawyer and he stutters all over the place. When she is finished, though, he suddenly glares at her, jumps over the stand, and attacks Laura to take her hostage. Great acting.

There's another part but I CAN'T share it without giving something big away. Still, I can now see what Beatty means. Norton would make an awesome Two-Face.

[arkham16]

Guess i'll have to watch that sometime

[hush]

Wow! Thanks, Demon's Head, for having this interview, and Scott Beatty for doing it! Great interview, and it'll be cool to see even more in the future.

[Harley]

*Squint* Yep, changed the red font to bold, so you can read his lovely remarks and answers to our questions. Many thanks to The Demon's Shed (Tim) for getting this interview. (He hates it when I bring up the "shed.")